Wedding Reception Ideas

We’re all looking for something ‘different’ for our weddings. But what really makes a wedding special is the little things – the intimate wedding favours that you’ve made yourself, the original idea for your seating plan, or the idea of using fruit instead of flowers on the tables.

We’ve put together a list of trendy ideas. Some of them you may have already stumbled across, but somewhere in this list we’re sure you’ll find something to make your wedding unique:

Display the menu – try an elegant, framed blackboard on which you’ve written the menu for the evening; it gives an atmosphere of ‘bistro’ chic

Serve a signature wedding drink – choose an alcoholic drink that is served all night long by which your guests will always remember you – a sparkling pink punch, white sangria, Vodka and pink lemonade, a cocktail you’re particularly fond of; be sure to throw in striped cocktail stirrers

Combine your name places with a gift – like vintage folded handkerchiefs tied with a ribbon attached to which is the name on a cardboard tag

Have an icecream station – particularly good if yours is a lunch or tea wedding; think homemade icecream and designer cones

Serve canapés whilst guests wait for your photographs to wind up – there are some lavishly original ideas to choose from

Use pink and maeve hydrangeas on top of your tiered, white wedding cake and make a statement

Serve poached pears in fruit-forward red wine with a hint of cinnamon and vanilla for dessert

Tie your cloth serviettes with twine and adorn with bouquet garni; a mix of herbs

Serve mulled wine in glasses, each with a stick of cinnamon (whilst it’s still winter, quick!)

Mismatch – instead of the same floral centrepiece at each table, use mismatched vases, different heights and flowers to create an artistic, bohemian and relaxed look

Keep it simple but use bright accents – use predominantly white (tablecloths, chairs, serviettes etc – it’s cheaper) peppered with centrepieces that use bold purples, greens and oranges to brighten the tables

Serve up a sweet table – never mind dessert table, try a table full of sugar items

Personalised wine bottles – a great idea to place on each table; and those left over at the end of the evening, people can take home as momentos